In My Wildest Fantasies by Julianne MacLean Page A

care.
    "If there is anything I can do while I am here," she said, "I would be happy to assist. I quite enjoy your father's conversations actually. He is very passionate about his gardens, and I admire his spirit."
    "That is most kind of you, Lady Rebecca."
    "Well...My father has not been well either," she explained. "Though his ailments are more physical. He suffers from rheumatism, which has made life difficult for both of us. It has always hurt me to see him endure the pain." She paused and lowered her gaze while she took a deeper sip, then spoke in a low, somewhat defeated voice. "I am afraid he has not been himself lately."
    Could it be she understood exactly what he was going through? Devon felt a connection to her suddenly, and wanted to know more about her. He wanted to know everything. "I am sorry to hear that."
    She lightened her tone and lifted her gaze again. "I am sure it gives your father great comfort to have you home again, Lord Hawthorne. It was good of you to return."
    After all his own self-inflicted punishment over the past few days--for all the ways he had not lived up to his responsibilities in the past--her plain assurance was like a balm to his senses. "Those are generous words."
    "They are not generous," she said. "It is simply the truth. Your family is fortunate to have you among them."
    Before he had a chance to reply, his sister Charlotte joined them, and Rebecca's whole face lit up.
    "Lady Charlotte," she said with a warm smile, "I cannot tell you how moved I was by your reading this afternoon. Your voice carried so well, and you read with such confidence and emotion. Your poem was my favorite of the day."
    He studied his sister's expression. He had not seen such a smile on her face since before he had left for America. Not even his gift of a pearl bracelet had evoked such joy in her eyes.
    "Oh, Lady Rebecca, you are so thoughtful," she replied. "I worry I might have sounded too tragic."
    "No, not at all. I mean, you did sound tragic, but that was what made it so special. There was such sincerity and integrity in your voice. It moved us all and reminded us of the beauty in the world, even when life seems grim."
    Charlotte took hold of both her hands. "Thank you, Lady Rebecca. You have made me very happy."
    Devon watched the two women, so close in age, as they discussed the other readings, and recognized an immediate connection between them as well. It pleased him to see it, for Charlotte was the only daughter among four sons in this family, and she had not often had a female friend to confide in. She had surely needed one in recent years.
    He glanced across the room at Lady Letitia, who had been watching him with a frosty look on her face, but she smiled the instant their gazes met.
    Lord Faulkner's son approached and asked Charlotte to join him in the next dance, which left Devon alone with Lady Rebecca again.
    "Your sister is very beautiful," she said, as she watched Charlotte move to the center of the room with the young man. There was genuine affection in her eyes. "She has your mother's coloring."
    She certainly did not have their father's.
    "I will tell her you said so," Devon replied. "But before I do, will you do me the honor?" He held out a hand.
    "I would be delighted." Her green eyes held a hopeful, encouraging gleam that no other eyes could rival.
    Indeed, she was making a first-rate impression on everyone, including him. Unlike Lady Letitia, she was a pleasant infusion of fresh air and warm sunshine, wholesome and unselfish and without a cartload of problems trailing along behind her. He was not only attracted to her, but felt some affection toward her as well. Practically speaking, she would be a good choice for a wife.
    He glanced briefly at Lady Letitia again as he passed her by. It was highly unlikely she could ever win his esteem or fire his passions the way Rebecca did. But that fact alone gave him pause, so much so, he almost fumbled his steps.
    He supposed--when one considered